Guide to Shizuoka

Bold mountain peaks, grand rivers, vast plains, and a long coastline form the varied beauty of Shizuoka. One can enjoy the ‘expressions' of Mt. Fuji as they change over the seasons. Hot springs all over the Izu Peninsula help you to work off accumulated fatigue.


Fish and other sea life are abundant in the Suruga Bay and Lake Hamana. Also, a plateau stretching over midwestern Shizuoka is well known as a production district of healthy green tea. Shizuoka, where flourishing industries and rich nature coexist, is a fascinating place to refresh an exhausted body and mind.

Shizuoka is also nationally known to be blessed with a mild and comfortable climate. In 2005, the annual average temperature in Shizuoka was 17.5 degrees Celsius (63.5 degrees Fahrenheit), which was the 11th highest of Japan's 47 prefectures. There is little snow away from the mountains in northern Shizuoka. Therefore, there is almost no worry of snow seriously compromising the movement of goods and people.

One of the major concerns for companies that are planning to branch out into Japan may be earthquakes. Shizuoka City experienced 127 felt earthquakes of varying magnitudes between 1996 and 2005, which was actually below the national average of 143. As long as we live in Japan, we should prepare ourselves for earthquakes, but Shizuoka has successfully been implementing all measures against a possible major earthquake for 30 years.